Patho 2- TBI and ABI Flashcards
Acquired brain injuries can be…
Traumatic
Non traumatic e.g. stroke, anoxia
What is a TBI
Injury to brain by trauma to head
Causes of TBI
Automobile accidents Slipping or falling Object striking head Shaken violently Sports related injury Violence
Types of TBI
Closed head injury
Open wound injury
Crushing injury
Closed head injury
Brain rattled/ traumatised inside skull
- diffuse axonal injury
- concussion
- intracranial haematoma
- cerebral contusion
Open wound injuries
Blow to head that penetrates skull
- Linear skull fracture
- diastatic skull fracture
- depressed skull fracture
- Basilar skull fracture
Crushing injury
Brain compressed between two objects
Immediate signs and symptoms of TBI
Difficulty concentrating/confusion Changes in consciousness Headaches and dizziness Vomiting and nausea Changes in mood, behaviour, personality Changes in eyes/dilated pupils Swelling Inability to remember Difficulty breathing Fluid leaking Difficulties with language and speech Changes in vision Hallucination
Level of brain injury-loss of consciousness- post traumatic amnesia
Minor- <15mins- <60mins
Moderate- 15mins to 6hrs-1-24hrs
Severe- 6hrs to 48hrs-1-7days
Very severe- >48hrs->7hours
Coma and reduced awareness states
Vegetative state
Minimally conscious state
Lock in syndrome
Vegetative state
Severe
Have sleep wake cycles
No conscious awareness
Minimally conscious state
Limited signs of awareness
Limited response to stimulation
Locked in syndrome
Aware but unable to move or speak
Possibly communicate via blinking
Anoxic brain injury
Non traumatic
Oxygen deprivation
Neural cells die vis apoptosis
Diminished brain function
Cause of Anoxic brain injuries
Stroke or TIA Anaphylactic shock Electrocution Extremely low BP Severe pneumothorax or collapsed lung O2 deprivation at birth Physical attack/assault Asphyxiation Drug overdose
Types of anoxic brain injury
Diffuse cerebral hypoxia
Focal cerebral ischemia
Global cerebral ischemia
Cerebral infarction
Diffuse cerebral hypoxia
Mild-moderate
Minimal brain impairment
Focal cerebral ischemia
O2 deprivation due to stroke
Occurs in single area of brain
Global cerebral ischemia
Complete cessation of blood flow and O2
Typical catastrophic harm
Cerebral infarction
Brain injury due to stroke
Completely deprives multiple brain regions of O2
Immediate signs and symptoms of anoxic brain injuries
Confusion Loss of consciousness Dizziness Intense headache Vomiting Changes in behaviour or sensation
Signs and symptoms of all ABIs
Changes in personality/behaviour Difficulty with previous unchallenging tasks Changes in relationships Difficulty with ST/LT memory Trouble recognising familiar people/animals New fears/phobias Psychological symptoms Frequent headaches Unexplained pain in limbs
Tests for brain injuries
Angiogram Blood tests CT scan Echocardiogram Electrocardiogram Evoked potentials MRI
Immediate medical management of ABIs
Breathing assistance and O2
Control HR and rhythm
Fluids, blood products or medicines to increase BP
Medication and anaesthetics
Medications for ABIs
Anticonvulsants Antidepressants Antipsychotics Antispasmodics Pain management drugs Memory and attention drugs
Prognosis of ABIs
recovery decrease with age
Depends on location of contusion in brain
Length of time in coma
